Suspect in Gruesome Murder Wanted by Authorities

Aramie Louisville Vas – The suspect of a grisly murder is still at large, and wanted by police. Herbert “Herberto” Maldonado, also known as “Vampire”, met 29-year-old Lori Meija at a party in Denton County, Texas in 2002. Meija, a sex worker, left the party with Vampire after negotiating a fee. An hour later, Vampire returned to the party and, clothing bloodied, stated that he had killed Meija. Vampire then fled the scene.

“It was a horrific murder,” Lieutenant Larry Kish of the Denton County Sheriff’s Office. “Mejia was violently traumatized prior to her death … and even after her death.”

At the time, Vampire was in his early 30s and living in the area with his 84-year-old girlfriend. When questioned, the girlfriend alternately professed love and fear of Maldonado, whom she said beat her frequently. Authorities then questioned Mario’s party-goers and learned that one woman felt so uncomfortable with Maldonado’s presence that she wrote down his license plate number. Police traced the information to Plano, TX where a suspect of Maldonado’s description had been arrested for a DWI. Plano police informed them that Maldonado had just bonded out.

The story was featured on CNN’s “The Hunt with John Walsh”. Meija’s family hopes that exposure may provide a path for justice to be served. Tracee Murphree, a former Texas Ranger, shares those sentiments.

“Twelve years later, it still bothers me,” said Murphree, “having been that close and not being able to bring justice to this family.”

Herbert Maldonado is a Hispanic male who would today be in his mid-40s. His two front teeth are missing, and other teeth protrude. He has a mole near his nose on the left side of his face, and tattoos on both upper arms. Formerly employed on a sod farm, he may be working a similar job somewhere in the U.S.

If you’ve seen Maldonado, or have any further information, please call 1-866-THE-HUNT or go online to CNN.com/TheHunt, or contact authorities.